SRA Meeting June 3: News, Agenda Minutes

((APOLOGIES: it would seem the earlier newsletter got stalled in the web server queue))

Hello Friends and Neighbours,
Some news and updates for you, inlcuding agenda for our next meeting, tomorrow: Wendesday, June 4, 7:15 at the Strathcona Community Centre (UPSTAIRS, preschool room)

The days are getting longer, and it's hard to drag people out to an SRA meeting, but this will be our last meeting before the summer, we'll be covering local event announcements, the SRA's involvement over the summer break, transition to new council and chair in the fall, with a discussion about revival of committees and an update on the Prior Street Road Safety Audit.

On a personal note, this will be the last newsletter I write and edit, as I have resigned from the SRA to run for City Council in the fall as a Green Party candidate.

Needless to say, the inspiration for my run has been my experience as Chair of the SRA. From challenging the city for consultation and collaboration over changes to Union Street, viaducts removal and traffic management on Prior; to working with and hearing the frustration of over two dozen resident associations from across the city; to sitting in with the Metro Vancouver Alliance. Above all my inspiration has been the last year-and-a-half's work on the DTES Local Area Plan, and witnessing the challenges the neighbourhood and city face with planning, development and affordability.
Know that I will be continuing to advocate for the neighbourhood in my new role at 12th and Cambie :-).

I hope you will stay in touch and follow my progress on my website petefry.ca and please join me and my fellow Green candidates, Adriane Carr and Cleta Brown, at our campaign and summer solstice kick-off, June 19 at the Ukrainian Hall - with live local favourites the Tall Brothers performing. Details and links to buy tickets can be found on Facebook, or to grab tickets off me personally, drop me a line at pete@petefry.ca.

And if you can join us for this meeting - we'll be breaking off early to Pat's Pub to send me off with a pint, hope you can join us!

1. Community Announcements

Perhaps you have notice their giant pins around the neighbourhood...
Presented by our friends at the Strathcona BIA, the first ever Made in Strathcona Tours will allow the public to discover some of the cities most historic, creative and diverse businesses, offering guests an exclusive peak into the inner workings of the areas industries. The Made in Strathcona Tours will showcase the diverse array of businesses including premiere dining restaurants, longstanding manufacturing businesses, new creative agencies and some of the hidden gems of the city.

Local residents and their dogs are outside almost every day all year long. Who better to notice changes in the community that could affect the neighbourhood’s safety than those out on pooch patrol? Dedicated human and canine residents can help make and keep our community safe, just by walking their usual route and knowing who to call if they see anything suspicious.

The Inner City Safety Society is proud to be working with the Vancouver Police Department and the Grandview Woodlands Community Policing Centre to bring the Pooch Patrol to Strathcona. Please join us to find out how you can be part of this exciting initiative. Friendly dogs are welcome to come with their people.

What's a "renoviction"? Why are so many Single Room Occupancy hotels becoming more expensive? What does all this have to do with homelessness, gentrification and "housing affordability" in the rest of the city? What can we do to take action? Come hear from SRO residents, DTES community members, organizers, researchers and lawyers.

This conference will bring together ALIVE and various community partners including non-profits, service providers, local business associations, youth leaders, local government, educational institutions, residents and community organizations to mark the close of Vancouver's “Year of Reconciliation” and showcase innovative place-based approaches in Vancouver's inner city- a fledgling but growing example reflective of Vancouver's “Healthy City for All” framework for community development.

2. Agenda for Wednesday Meeting

Local Event Annoucnements

SRA during summer months

Transitiin of chair and council

Prior Street and Road Safety Audit

Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods

Revival of Committees

Announcements from the floor

Adjourn to pub to toast Pete's farewell

3. Minutes from Last Month's meeting

SRA Meeting Wednesday May 7, 2014

Community Announcements
Most in the newsletter
Pete reminded everyone that he was stepping down as Chair of the SRA. He has been officially nominated as a Green candidate in the next civic election.
Gallery A is again offering ‘functional’ Cantonese lessons. The price and details are on the SRA’s website
Bud Osbourne passed away the night before (May 6th). Bud was a poet and community activist in the Downtown Eastside and he will be missed.
Presentation by Constable Graham Edmunds, Strathcona's new NPO
The VPD noticed an increase in residential beak-ins in Strathcona. The hot spot area is between Pender St (North) and Hawks Ave (East) Union St (South) and Gore Ave (West). Most were daylight robberies through forcing windows.
Thefts concentrated on tools and electronics, including computers. Programs like ‘Find My Phone’ and other GPS/trackers are very useful for police in finding missing electronic items.
While the spate of break-ins has abated in Strathcona and seemingly moved to Grandview-Woodland, residents are urged to take the usual precautions.
The Constable emphasized that being Strathcona’s NPO was his primary job and he would be available 4 days a week in that role. He distributed contact information and that will be available on the SRA’s website

Local News and Announcements from the Floor
We are attempting to re-start the Hawkes Ave Yard Sale, stay tuned
Reading from Vancouver Confidential (John Belshaw, Editor)
Vancouver Confidential is a collaboration of artists and writers who plumb the shadows of civic memory looking for the stories that don’t fit into mainstream narratives. By focusing on the stories of the common people rather than community leaders and headliners, Vancouver Confidential shines a light on the lives of Vancouverites that have for so long been ignored.
The collection includes essays from Tom Carter, Aaron Chapman, Jesse Donaldson, James Johnstone, Lani Russwurm, Eve Lazarus, Diane Purvey, Catherine Rose, Rosanne Sia, Jason Vanderhill, Stevie Wilson, Will Woods, Terry Watada, and John Belshaw.
Conclusion of Meeting, Next one June 4th at the Strathcona Community Centre